Portable electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic apparatus disclosed has excellent operability, being capable of zooming, scrolling, moving a cursor, selecting an icon and others with one small operation unit. This portable electronic apparatus includes a display unit, the operation unit and a controller. The display unit displays information received or stored. The one operation unit is used for operations including moving of a pointer displayed on the display unit, the zooming and the scrolling of the information displayed on the display unit, the moving of the cursor and the selection of the icon. The controller executes the operations in response to operation of the operation unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable electronic apparatus, whichfacilitates control or operation, such as zooming on displayedinformation, scrolling, moving of a cursor or selection of an icon.

BACKGROUND ART

With widespread use of the Internet, content described in a structuraldescription language such as Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) used bythe World Wide Web (WWW) has enjoyed a rapid distribution in recentyears.

The content mentioned here refers to multimedia data including text, animage and sound. The content described in a structural descriptionlanguage such as HTML (hereinafter referred to simply as “HTML content”)is distributed, for example, in the following manner.

A personal computer or the like which is connected to a network such asthe Internet specifies an Uniform Resource Locator (URL) having desiredHTML content and sends a request to the network. A server correspondingto this URL obtains the HTML content specified by the personal computerfrom a database. The server then sends the HTML content thus obtained tothe personal computer across the network. The personal computer receivesthis HTML content across the network, analyzes a tag or the like in theHTML content received and displays an image on its specified displayunit based on a result of this analysis.

Recently, not only the personal computer but also a portable electronicapparatus functioning as a communication terminal for a portabletelephone or a Personal Handy-phone System (PHS) or the like receivesthe content described in the structural description language through anetwork such as a portable telephone network. The portable electronicapparatuses display the image or the like by using the content received.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a description is hereinafterprovided of an example of a conventional display of the image on theportable electronic apparatus, which functions as the communicationterminal such as the portable telephone or the PHS, by use of thecontent received thorough the network.

FIGS. 27-41 illustrate a map search using the communication terminal.

In FIGS. 27-40, body 1 of the apparatus includes display unit 2, numerickeypad 3 and confirmation key 4. Up arrow key 5 is disposed aboveconfirmation key 4, while down arrow key 6 is disposed belowconfirmation key 4. Right arrow key 7 is disposed on the right ofconfirmation key 4, while left arrow key 8 is disposed on the left ofconfirmation key 4.

The following description refers to a case where the content receivedacross the network is utilized by such a structure.

This description refers to the search for a map including a station andits vicinity through use of an “i-mode” service provided by NTT DoCoMoas an example of an information providing service utilizing the portabletelephone terminal and the Internet.

When apparatus body 1 is powered on, a main menu screen such as shown inFIG. 27( b) is displayed on display unit 2 of FIG. 27( a).

With the main menu screen displayed, up arrow key 5 is operated toselect an “i-mode” icon.

Up arrow key 5 hatched in FIG. 27( a) indicates that this key 5 is inoperation.

Some of the following drawings too have hatched keys to show that thosekeys are in operation.

Confirmation key 4 is operated as shown in FIG. 28( a) to confirm theselection of the “i-mode” icon shown in FIG. 28( b).

This confirmation effects display of an “i-mode” menu screen on displayunit 2 as shown in FIG. 29( b). As down arrow key 6 is operated as shownin FIG. 29( a), cursor 9 appearing on this menu screen movesaccordingly. Here, the cursor is moved to select the sixth menu option,“Map”, as shown in FIG. 30( b). When cursor 9 is positioned over “Map”in the menu, confirmation key 4 is operated as shown in FIG. 30( a) toconfirm the selection of “Map” from the menu.

As the selection from the menu is confirmed, a “Select Area” screen isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 31( b). Options “1”-“9” on this screeninclude respective area names in Japan.

Next, down arrow key 6 is operated as shown in FIG. 31( a) to movecursor 9. Here, the Kansai area is selected as shown in FIG. 32( b).Confirmation key 4 is thereafter operated as shown in FIG. 32( a) toconfirm the selection of the Kansai area.

As the selection of the Kansai area is confirmed, a “Select SearchMethod” screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 33( b).

Subsequently, down arrow key 6 is operated as shown in FIG. 33( a) tomove cursor 9, and “Search by Station Name” is selected with cursor 9,as shown in FIG. 34( b).

Confirmation key 4 is then operated as shown in FIG. 34( b), whereby thescreen changes to an “Edit” screen shown in FIG. 35( b).

Confirmation key 4 is again operated as shown in FIG. 35( a), wherebythe “Edit” screen becomes available.

Numeric keypad 3 is thereafter operated to input “Nishi Sanso” on this“Edit” screen as shown in FIG. 36( b).

“Nishi Sanso” is the name of a station in Kadoma city of OsakaPrefecture lying in the Kansai area of Japan.

As shown in FIG. 36( a), the input of this station name is confirmedwith confirmation key 4.

Upon this confirmation, the “Select Search Method” screen includinginput “Nishi Sanso” is displayed as shown in FIG. 37( b). Here, cursor 9is positioned at “Search”. When confirmation key 4 is operated as shownin FIG. 37( a), a map showing “Nishi Sanso” and its surroundings isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 38( b).

This map can be scrolled with “1”-“4” keys and “6”-“9” keys of numerickeypad 3 shown in FIG. 38( a). With a “5” key, a zoom in can be done.With a “0” key, a zoom out can be done. When the “5” key is operated asshown in FIG. 38( a), a zoomed-in map is displayed as shown in FIG. 39(b).

Next, the “1” key of numeric keypad 3 is operated as shown in FIG. 39(a) to scroll the zoomed-in map in an upper-left direction, whereby a mapshown in FIG. 40( b) is displayed. After the map is confirmed, downarrow key 6 is operated as shown in FIG. 40( a) to move cursor 9 over“Top Menu”. Confirmation key 4 is then operated as shown in FIG. 40( c).Then the screen returns to the top menu screen shown in FIG. 41.

As described above, the conventional portable electronic apparatusrequires, besides the numeric keypad, at least five keys includingconfirmation key 4, up arrow key 5, down arrow key 6, right arrow key 7and left arrow key 8. These keys take up a lot of space in the smallportable electronic apparatus. In addition, numeric keypad 3 is used toinput commands including the scroll, the zoom in and the zoom out.

Accordingly, a user may need to memorize respective functions of thekeys. Moreover, these keys increase finger motion of the user foroperation. For this reason, the user may avert his/her eyes from thedisplay screen for every input.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a portable electronic apparatushaving excellent operability. This portable electronic apparatus iscapable of many operations, including zooming, scrolling, moving acursor and selecting an icon, with one operation unit.

The portable electronic apparatus of this invention includes a displayunit, the operation unit and a controller.

The display unit displays information received or stored.

The operation unit is used for those operations including moving of apointer displayed on the display unit, the zooming and the scrolling ofthe information displayed on the display unit, the moving of the cursorand the selection of the icon.

In response to operation of the operation unit, the controller executesthe operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) are a perspective view and a circuit block diagramof a portable electronic apparatus, respectively, in accordance with afirst exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a trackball device that includes a pushswitch and functions as an operation unit mounted to the portableelectronic apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b) illustrate an input operation and a display screenof the portable electronic apparatus, respectively, in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b) illustrate an input operation and a display screen,respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b) illustrate an input operation and a display screen,respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b) illustrate an input operation and a display screen,respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b) illustrate an input operation and a display screen,respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 8( a) and 8(b) illustrate an input operation and a display screen,respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 9( a) and 9(b) illustrate an input operation and a display screen,respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 12( a) and 12(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 13( a) and 13(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 14( a) and 14(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 15( a) and 15(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 16( a)-16(c) illustrate input operations and a display screen inaccordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a display screen in accordance with the firstembodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates an input operation and a display screen inaccordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 19( a) and 19(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 20( a) and 20(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 21( a) and 21(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 22( a) and 22(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen, respectively, in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIGS. 23( a)-23(c) illustrate input operations and a display screen inaccordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 24 illustrates a display screen in accordance with the firstembodiment.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a portable electronic apparatus inaccordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26( a) is an exploded perspective view of an operation unit mountedto the portable electronic apparatus in accordance with the secondembodiment, FIG. 26( b) is an exploded perspective view of the operationunit configured for detecting a change in pressure, FIG. 26( c) is anexploded perspective view of the operation unit configured for detectinga magnetic field, and FIG. 26( d) is an exploded perspective view of theoperation unit configured for detecting a change in pressure.

FIGS. 27( a) and 27(b) illustrate an input operation and a displayscreen of a conventional portable electronic apparatus, respectively.

FIGS. 28( a) and 28(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 29( a) and 29(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 30( a) and 30(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 31( a) and 31(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 32( a) and 32(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 33( a) and 33(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 34( a) and 34(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 35( a) and 35(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 36( a) and 36(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 37( a) and 37(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 38( a) and 38(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 39( a) and 39(b) illustrate a conventional input operation and aconventional display screen, respectively.

FIGS. 40( a)-40(b) illustrate conventional input operations and aconventional display screen.

FIG. 41 illustrates a conventional display screen.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention that include respectivestructures and operations are demonstrated hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a description is hereinafterprovided of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable telephone, which is a typicalexample of a portable electronic apparatus, in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a trackball device that includes a pushswitch and functions as an operation unit mounted to the same portableelectronic apparatus.

This trackball device including a push switch is a typicalmultidirectional input device including a push switch. Themultidirectional input device mentioned here detects input operationscorresponding to a plurality of directions, respectively.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, body 10 of the portable electronic apparatus includesantenna 11, display unit 12, operation unit 13, numeric keypad 14 andsound release hole 15.

Antenna 11 is provided at an upper end of apparatus body 10. Displayunit 12 is formed of a liquid crystal display or the like and providedat a front surface of apparatus body 10. Operation unit 13 is providedin the vicinity of display unit 12 at the front surface of apparatusbody 10. Numeric keypad 14 is used for inputting a number and acharacter. Sound release hole 15 is provided above display unit 12 andlets out a sound produced by a sounding member placed inside apparatusbody 10.

Apparatus body 10 also includes required circuits including controlcircuit 34, storage circuit 36, a power circuit, and drive circuit 38for display unit 12.

Control circuit 38 detects an input signal from transmitter/receivercircuit 32 and an input signal produced by operation of operation unit13 or numeric keypad 14, and controls an output signal fromtransmitter/receiver circuit 32. Control circuit 34 also controlsstorage circuit 36, drive circuit 38 for display unit 12 and others.

The trackball device, for example, is employed as operation unit 13mentioned above. This trackball device has, for example, the followingstructure including the push switch.

In the trackball device shown in FIG. 2, square case 16 is covered withcover 18 and the device houses ball 17 with an upper portion of ball 17exposed.

In square case 16, the followings are disposed, for example,

(1) four or five switches, or

(2) two encoders and one switch, or

(3) four Hall elements and one switch.

Case 16 also includes a control member for causing the switch, theencoder or the Hall element to operate as ball 17 is rolled.

In each of the above-mentioned cases (1)-(3), the controller detects thesignal, which varies as ball 17 is rolled.

The trackball device may have any known structure other than any one ofthe structures described above.

In each of the above-mentioned cases, at least one switch is a pushswitch. This push switch is used for confirmation (described later) andis switched on or off when the ball is pressed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a description is hereinafterprovided on how a map search is performed by the portable electronicapparatus having the structure described above through use of contentreceived across a network.

This description refers to a case where an “i-mode” service provided byNTT DoCoMo is utilized as an example of an information provision serviceusing the portable telephone terminal and the Internet.

FIGS. 3-17 illustrate input operations and display screens.

In these drawings, those hatched triangles 42 contacting track ball 17each indicate a rolling direction of ball 17. Here, ball 17 is rolledtoward a vertex of triangle 42 that is at the opposite angle to the sidecontacting with ball 17.

When apparatus body 10 is powered on, a main menu screen includingpointer 19 is displayed on display unit 12, as shown in FIG. 3( b).

As ball 17 of operation unit 13 is rolled upward as indicated bytriangle 42 in FIG. 3( a) with the main menu screen displayed, pointer19 moves upward accordingly. Pointer 19 is thus placed on an “i-mode”icon as shown in FIG. 4( b).

With pointer 19 placed on the “i-mode” icon, ball 17 of operation unit13 is pressed as shown in FIG. 4( a) to confirm the selection of the“i-mode” icon.

As the selection of the “i-mode” icon is confirmed, a menu screen isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 5( b). Here, pointer 19 and cursor 20 arelocated at “Weather Forecast”, the first menu option from the top.

Ball 17 of operation unit 13 is thereafter rolled downward as indicatedby triangle 42 in FIG. 5( a) to move pointer 19 downward. When pointer19 is placed on a “Map” icon, which is menu option “6”, as shown in FIG.6( b), ball 17 is pressed as shown in FIG. 6( a) for confirmation. Here,cursor 20 too is located at “Map” selected.

As “Map” is selected, a “Select an Area” screen is displayed as shown inFIG. 7( b). Options “1”-“9” displayed on this screen include respectivearea names in Japan.

Here, ball 17 is rolled downward as indicated by triangle 42 in FIG. 7(a) to move pointer 19 to a “Kansai” icon, which is option “2”.Subsequently, ball 17 is pressed as shown in FIG. 8( a), whereby thepush switch (not shown) is switched on. Here, the controller executesthis confirmation, whereby cursor 20 is placed at selected “Kansai” asshown in FIG. 8( b). In this way, the area is selected.

When the selection of the Kansai area is confirmed as described above, a“Select a Search Method” screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 9( b).Ball 17 is then rolled downward as indicated by triangle 42 in FIG. 9(a) to move pointer 19 to “Search by Station Name”. Ball 17 is thereafterpressed as shown in FIG. 10( a), whereby cursor 20 is moved to “Searchby Station Name” as shown in FIG. 10( b). In this way, “Search byStation Name” is selected, and this selection is confirmed.

The above-described operation effects display of an “Edit” screen asshown in FIG. 11( b). Ball 17 is again pressed as shown in FIG. 11( a),whereby the “Edit” screen becomes available.

Subsequently, “Nishi Sanso”, which is the name of a station, is inputwith numeric keypad 14 for display on the “Edit” screen as shown in FIG.12( b). Thereafter, ball 17 is pressed as shown in FIG. 12( a) toconfirm the input of “Nishi Sanso”.

This confirmation effects display of the “Select a Search Method” screenincluding input “Nishi Sanso” as shown in FIG. 13( b). Pointer 19 isthen placed on “Search” next to “Search by Station Name”.

Thereafter, ball 17 is pressed as shown in FIG. 13( a) to confirm the“Search” for “Nishi Sanso”, and consequently, a map showing Nishi Sansostation and its surroundings is displayed as shown in FIG. 14( b).

In cases where this map provides an unclear view because of its broadrange, a zoomed-in display is obtained in the following manner.

(1) Pointer 19 is placed on a portion of the map that is to bemagnified.

(2) Next, ball 17 is rolled clockwise along a plane as indicated byarrow 44 shown in FIG. 14( a).

This operation effects display of the map's zoomed-in portion, whichpointer 19 has pointed at, as shown in FIG. 15( b).

Conversely, rolling ball 17 counterclockwise along the plane effectsdisplay of a zoomed-out map.

It is to be noted that irrespective of the position of pointer 19, thezoom in may be performed on the center of the screen.

As described above, zooming is performed by rolling ball 17 of thetrackball device along the plane. The portable electronic apparatusobtained is thus easy to operate.

To scroll the zoomed-in map of FIG. 15( b), ball 17 is rolled in adirection indicated by triangle 42 shown in FIG. 15( a) toward a portionto be displayed, whereby the map's portion to be displayed is scrolledinto view as shown in FIG. 16( b). Here, display unit 12 displays“Weather in Vicinity”, “Search in Vicinity” and “Top Menu” below themap.

Next, ball 17 is rolled downward as indicated by triangle 42 in FIG. 16(a) to place pointer 19 on “Top Menu”. Ball 17 is thereafter pressed,whereby cursor 20 is positioned at “Top Menu” for selection, and theselection of “Top Menu” is confirmed. Upon this confirmation, thedisplay screen returns to the “Select an Area” screen shown in FIG. 17.

In a method different from the above-described method of operation, ascreen, such as shown in FIG. 18( b), which includes “Zoom” and “Scroll”icons as well as the map, is displayed in place of the screen shown inFIG. 14( b). Here, pointer 19 is moved over “Zoom”.

Thereafter, ball 17 is pressed as shown in FIG. 18( a) to confirm theselection of “Zoom”. This effects display of zoom bar 21 representing“Zoom” on the right of display unit 12 as shown in FIG. 19( b). Pointer19 is then moved over box 22 of this zoom bar 21.

Next, ball 17 is rolled upward as indicated by triangle 42 in FIG. 19(a), whereby box 22 moves upward accordingly.

In this way, a zoom in is performed on the whole map. Display unit 12thus displays a zoomed-in center portion of the map as shown in FIG. 20(b).

With the zoomed-in center portion displayed, ball 17 is pressed as shownin FIG. 20( a) for confirmation.

This confirmation effects display of the “Zoom” and “Scroll” icons onthe zoomed-in map as shown in FIG. 21( b). Next, ball 17 is rolled tomove pointer 19 over the “Scroll” icon. When ball 17 is thereafterpressed as shown in FIG. 21( a), the display screen includes pointer 19on the zoomed-in map as shown in FIG. 22( b).

Subsequently, ball 17 is rolled in a direction indicated by triangle 42in FIG. 22( a) to scroll the map in this direction. This effects displayof a scrolled map as shown in FIG. 23( b). Here, the screen has the“Weather in Vicinity”, “Search in Vicinity” and “Top Menu” iconsdisplayed below the map.

After the map is confirmed, ball 17 is rolled downward as indicated bytriangle 42 in FIG. 23( a) to move pointer 19 over the “Top Menu” icon.

Ball 17 is thereafter pressed as shown in FIG. 23( c), whereby cursor 20is located at “Top Menu” for selection, and the display screen returnsto the top menu screen (i.e. the “Select Area” screen) shown in FIG. 24.

As is usually done, a scroll bar may be displayed at an end of thedisplay screen, and the scroll may be performed on the displayedinformation by pointing the pointer at a scroll box of the scroll barand moving the scroll box.

The first embodiment described above allows a user to perform manyoperations, including zooming, scrolling, moving the cursor, selectingthe icon and confirming, with one operation unit 13. The apparatusobtained thus has excellent operability. Moreover, operation unit 13mounted to apparatus body 10 requires reduced space for thoseoperations.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

The second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is describedhereinafter.

The present embodiment is basically similar to the first exemplaryembodiment.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that amultidirectional input device including a lever is employed as operationunit 13, and that an operation member is independently provided fordisplaying and erasing a pointer displayed on a display unit.

The multidirectional input device mentioned here detects inputoperations corresponding to a plurality of directions, respectively.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a portable electronic apparatus inaccordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26( a) is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectionalinput device functioning as the operation unit mounted to the sameportable electronic apparatus.

It is to be noted that elements similar to those in the first embodimenthave the same reference marks, and the descriptions of those elementsare omitted.

In FIGS. 25 and 26( a), operation member 23 is provided in the vicinityof operation unit 13 of apparatus body 10 to display and erase thepointer. A typical push switch can be used as operation member 23.

When operation member 23 is pressed with display unit 12 displayingpointer 19, pointer 19 is erased from a screen. When operation member 23is pressed with the pointer erased, pointer 19 is displayed on thescreen.

In other words, pointer 19 is displayed only when necessary for display,and pointer 19 is not displayed when unnecessary, so that the displayscreen can be simplified.

The multidirectional input device functioning as operation unit 13 hasthe following structure.

A displacement detecting element is disposed inside case 24. Cover 25,which covers this case 24, holds driving member 26 so that drive member26 can be tilted. Driving member 26 is configured to control thedisplacement detecting element, thereby to obtain an output. Thisdriving member 26 is coupled to knob 27.

Here, as shown in FIG. 26( b), an element, which detects a change inpressure that is caused by driving member 26 when driving member 26 istilted with knob 27, is employed as the displacement detecting element.Driving member 26 in FIG. 26( b) includes, for example, four detectingelements 51-54 for detecting changes of pressure caused by movement ofdriving member 26.

The displacement detecting element may even be, for example, a Hallelement as shown in FIG. 26( c), In this case, for example, magnets71-74 are attached to driving member 26, and the four Hall elements61-64 detect a magnetic field, which changes as driving member 26 ismoved.

Instead of being the Hall element, as shown in FIG. 26( d), displacementdetecting element 80 may be configured, for example, to include switches81-88 corresponding to respective triangles of knob 27 that representrespective outward directions from a circle.

In the multidirectional input device using any one of suchabove-mentioned displacement detecting elements, the triangle of knob 27that represents the direction is pressed to move pointer 19 or a cursor.Accordingly, pointer 19 or the cursor moves in that direction on thescreen.

For the confirmation operation, a center portion of knob 27 is pressed.Accordingly, a push switch (not shown) disposed inside case 24 isswitched on or off, whereby a signal indicative of the confirmation isgenerated.

In this way, the confirmation is performed with the push switch.

In the first embodiment, the ball is rolled along the plane for zoomingin or out on the displayed image. The zoom in or out may be done in thesecond embodiment, for example, by allowing a user to move his/herfinger clockwise or counterclockwise while pressing down knob 27.Accordingly, the direction indicative of the input using themultidirectional input device changes continuously. Control circuit 34detects the continuous change of direction that lasts a short time andinterprets this operation as the zoom in or out.

In the manner described above, the multidirectional input deviceundergoes such a rolling operation along the plane for zooming.

To zoom in or out, the user may move his/her finger from side to side orvertically while pressing down knob 27.

In each of these cases, the direction indicative of the input using themultidirectional input device undergoes a continuous change, which lastsa short time. The controller detects this change and interprets thisoperation as the zoom in or out.

In this way, the operation unit is operated in one direction for zoomingin and in another direction for zooming out.

The portable electronic apparatus having such a structure has a usagepattern similar to that of the first embodiment mentioned earlier.

This portable electronic apparatus differs from that of the firstembodiment particularly in that pointer 19 can be displayed and erased.Thus, the pointer can be erased when unnecessary, thereby affording aclear view of the display.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the portable electronic apparatus of the presentinvention is capable of operations, including zooming on the screendisplayed on the display unit, scrolling, moving the cursor andselecting the icon, with one operation unit. These operations can bedone without increasing finger movement from the operation unit.Accordingly, the user can focus his/her eyes on the display screen. Inother words, this portable electronic apparatus has excellentoperability.

By being mounted with this one operation unit, the portable electronicapparatus of the present invention can perform many functions. Thus, theportable electronic apparatus is easy to design.

1. A portable electronic apparatus comprising: a display unit fordisplaying information received or stored; an operation unit used foroperations including moving of a pointer displayed on the display unit,zooming and scrolling of the information displayed on the display unit,moving of a cursor and selection of an icon; and a controller forexecuting the operations in response to an operation of the operationunit, wherein the operation unit includes a multidirectional inputdevice comprising a knob which itself does not rotate about an axisperpendicular to a surface of the portable electronic apparatus wherethe knob is provided, and the controller allows the zooming of theinformation to be performed when the knob is tilted with a clockwise orcounterclockwise rotating motion along the surface of the portableelectronic apparatus.
 2. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 1,wherein the portable electronic apparatus includes a confirmationfunction following at least one of the operations including the zooming,the scrolling, the moving of the cursor and the selection of the icon.3. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 2, wherein themultidirectional input device includes a push switch.
 4. The portableelectronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotating operationperformed on the knob in one direction of the rotating operation in theclockwise and counterclockwise direction corresponds to a zoom in of theinformation, and the operation performed on the operation unit inanother direction of the rotating operation in the clockwise andcounterclockwise direction corresponds to a zoom out of the information.5. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:another operation member for displaying and erasing the pointerdisplayed on the display unit.
 6. The portable electronic apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the scrolling of the information displayed on a screenof the display unit is performed by placing the pointer at an edge ofthe screen, and moving pointer along the edge.
 7. The portableelectronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the zooming of the informationdisplayed on a screen of the display unit is performed by placing thepointer at an edge of the screen, and moving pointer along the edge. 8.The portable electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein themultidirectional input device includes a displacement detecting elementcoupled to the knob, and the displacement detecting element detects adirection of an input to the multidirectional input device.
 9. Theportable electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the displacementdetecting element includes a plurality of switches respectivelycorresponding to directions to be detected.